HNRNPL

HNRNPL, or heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L, is a protein encoded by the HNRNPL gene in humans. It is a member of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) family, a group of RNA-binding proteins involved in various aspects of RNA metabolism. HNRNPL is widely expressed in human tissues and is primarily localized to the nucleus, where it participates in pre-mRNA processing, but it can also be detected in the cytoplasm under certain cellular conditions.

The protein typically contains multiple RNA recognition motif (RRM) domains, which mediate binding to RNA. Through these interactions, HNRNPL influences several RNA processing pathways, with a well-established role in the regulation of alternative splicing. By binding to specific RNA sequence elements, it can promote or repress exon inclusion in transcripts, contributing to tissue- and developmentally regulated splicing programs. Beyond splicing, hnRNP L proteins are also implicated in mRNA maturation, export from the nucleus, stability, and, in some contexts, translation regulation.

HNRNPL functions through interactions with other RNA-binding proteins and splicing factors, forming part of larger regulatory complexes that coordinate RNA processing. Its activity can be modulated by cellular signals that affect its subcellular distribution and RNA-binding properties, including post-translational modifications.

Dysregulation of HNRNPL expression or function has been observed in various cancers and other diseases, where it can influence gene expression patterns via altered splicing and RNA processing. Research on HNRNPL continues to elucidate its diverse roles in RNA metabolism and cellular physiology.